The Simpsons Movie (PG-13)
Who's Your Caddy (PG-13)
No Reservations (PG)
The Bourne Ultimatum (PG-13)
Hot Rod (PG-13)
Stardust (PG-13)
Rush Hour 3 (PG-13)
Underdog (PG)
Superbad (R)
The Invasion (PG-13)
The Last Legion (PG-13)
War (R)
The Nanny Diaries (PG-13)
War (R) - Jason Statham and Jet Li are both known for making invigorating, fast paced action movies. Don't get me wrong, this movie had great action, mediocre drama, and an attempt at a twist ending that would make the writers of the "Saw" series giggle like schoolgirls. The main plot is that an FBI agent (Statham) pursues a mysterious assassin known as "Rogue" (Li), who murdered his partner.
I was not that impressed. Both of these actors made their fame and fortune as hand-to-hand fighting style action heroes. There really was only one decent fistfight in the movie. Everything was handled with guns and explosives; not very interesting, considering the actors.
The storyline worked well, and we saw some feeble attempts at true acting for both. It just didn't sell for me.
Foul language and topless women give this movie an R rating, so keep the kids out of the theater.
All in all, I would give this movie a 6 out of 10. - Matthew Wright
The Nanny Diaries (PG-13) Jersey girl Annie Braddock (Scarlett Johansson) graduates from college. Unsure of what direction to take in her life, she decides to do something different: become a nanny. She accepts a position at the posh Upper East Side residence of snippy Mrs. X (Laura Linney) after saving Mrs. X’s son Grayer (Nicholas Art) in Central Park.
What was supposed to be a easy dream job quickly turns into a nightmare. Between Mr. X’s (Paul Giamatti) “business meetings” and Mrs. X’s charity causes, Annie must befriend and care for Grayer. Grayer asks Annie to never leave him, and trying to not to disappoint him and out of concern for Grayer’s well being, she stays on. But soon her personal life gets in the way. Annie meets the young man who lives upstairs, Harvard Hottie (Chris Evans). Annie tries to juggle everything, but in the end, like most nannies are, she is fired and almost loses the guy. You will have to see the movie to see the message she leaves the X’s with, and what happens with Harvard Hottie. This movie is definitely a chick flick, and will pull at your heartstrings. The PG-13 rating is for the language, but very little of it. I enjoyed this movie. - Lucy Brower
The Last Legion is the story that takes place before the Arthurian legend. In the declining days of Rome, a young king named Romulus (Thomas Sangster) is crowned. When evil forces storm the city, the boy loses his parents to a murderous horde of Goths. Now, protected by his royal guard Aurelius (Colin Firth), Romulus is taken to the countryside to find safety with his mentor, Ambrosinus (Ben Kingsley). When the band of protectors learn that most Roman forces have been eliminated, it is up to Aurelius to lead his men, and a strange warrior from a foreign land (Aishwarya Rai), to a safe harbor where they can regroup and prepare to fight back. Along the way, Romulus discovers his destiny when he uncovers a special sword called Excalibur, meant only for the bravest of leaders. The plot is heavy with political double cross and agenda. Viewers will also see some of the origin of the fabled Merlin, Excalibur, and the man Pendragon, who is to father the greatest legend: Arthur. The story is a well-rounded one, but the movie lacks the cinema-flare that will bring masses to the theater. There are no computer generated graphics which makes the film rough, but true-to-life. There is some intense action that gives the movie a PG-13 rating, but other than that there is nothing that is offensive for the younger audience. - Thomas Garrou
Superbad (R) is a story of last chances. Seth (Jonah Hill, Knocked Up and Accepted) and Evan (Michael Cera, "Arrested Development") have been best friends all through school, but are going to different colleges. Two weeks before their graduation, they land an invitation to a huge party, with one caveat: Jonah has to provide the liquor. Enter Evan's future roommate Fogell (newcomer Christopher Mintz-Plasse), who has scored a newly-minted fake ID, with a ridiculously fake name to match. The boys do their best to get some liquor and make it to the party, but are held up by two bumbling cops, Officers Michaels (Seth Rogen, Knocked Up and The 40 Year Old Virgin) and Slater (Bill Heder, "Saturday Night Live").
This movie was produced by Judd Apatow, the man who is in some way responsible for the latest string of Will Ferrell movies and slacker comedies, including Anchorman, The 40 Year Old Virgin, and Knocked Up. Costar Seth Rogen and his friend Evan wrote the script, which rings true, almost painfully so; Seth and Evan, as characters, are awkward, inexperienced, and unpopular, but hilarious. The comedy bar in this movie is nowhere near sophisticated, or even that nuanced. However, you shouldn't dismiss this movie as just another gross-out offensive waste of two hours, especially if you enjoyed The 40 Year Old Virgin or Knocked Up. Even if Apatow is revisiting familiar territory (he also was responsible for the widely-acclaimed but low-rated series "Freaks and Geeks" a few years ago), the experience is a good one. Rating is for pervasive crude and sexual content, strong language, underage drinking, some drug use, and some violence, most or all involving teens. Children under the age of seventeen, even if they've had experiences like the ones in Superbad, probably shouldn't be allowed to watch. – Ashley Merrill
The Invasion (PG-13) stars Nicole Kidman as Washington, D.C. psychiatrist Carol Bennell. During an outbreak of an unusual "flu," one of Carol's patients, Wendy (played by Veronica Cartwright, also a star of the 1978 remake), says that her husband is not really her husband. Carol responds by upping Wendy's medication. But this "flu" is actually caused by the crash of a space shuttle and a strange alien virus that came back to Earth with it, passing from those who touched the wreckage to anyone else. Carol and her physician suitor Ben (Daniel Craig) eventually discover that the infection fully kicks in during REM sleep, but not before Carol is infected by her already-transformed ex-husband, Tucker (Jeremy Northam). Carol has to free her son Oliver (Jackson Bond) from Tucker's clutches and make her way to a research facility before she falls asleep and becomes one of the infected, an emotionless drone with no passion or personality.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers, this is not. If you were expecting a modern-day remake of the classic "pods," you will be disappointed by this movie. It reminded me of 28 Months Later, but I didn't enjoy it as much. The movie can be summed up as Nicole Kidman and some other people, but it's mostly Nicole Kidman. Jeremy Northam does a good job, and Daniel Craig is good for the accent, but for the most part this movie is all Nicole! - Marilyn Merrill
Underdog (PG) The movie was amazing. It starred Jason Lee as the voice of Underdog and Jim Belushi as Dan Unger. Jim Belushi plays the father of Underdog’s owner, Jack (Alex Neuberger). Brad Garrett and Amy Adams also provide voices. The story is told from the eyes of Underdog. He was an unsuccessful police dog who was stolen and brought to the evil Dr. Barsinster’s (Peter Dinklage's) lab. Underdog eventually escaped, but only after being exposed to chemicals that gave him superpowers. He was then rescued by Jim Belushi, when he meets Jack and decides all he has ever wanted was a family. However his superpowers get in the way and he realizes with Jack’s help, that he must use his powers for good. The main question is will Dr. Barsinister let Underdog save Capitol City, or will his evil plan to take over Capital City succeed? This was a great action packed fun movie. Every member family will enjoy it. It is full of action, good music, and great humor. Rated PG for rude humor, mild language, and action. – Rhonda Poplin
Rush Hour 3 (PG-13) picks up a few years after the sequel, and almost ten years after the first movie. Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan) visits Los Angeles while providing security for Ambassador Han (Tzi Ma), who is gunned down during a meeting of the World Criminal Court. Lee runs into the demoted Officer Carter (Chris Tucker) while pursuing the suspect, and soon the two have promised Han's daughter Soo Yung (Jingchu Zhang) that they will find the man who shot her father. Thus begins a labyrinthine plot involving the ultra-dangerous Chinese Triad crime family and its leader. Lee and Carter head to Paris following a lead, and in their typical way manage to karate-chop and smooth talk their way through any number of nattily dressed henchmen. The climactic fight scenes atop the Eiffel Tower are impressive.
While this installment doesn't have the frantic energy that Jackie Chan's fighting lent the first two movies, the basic premise is still the same. Lee, the levelheaded Chinese policeman, is often at odds with his more brash and loudspoken American friend Carter, and they encounter any number of gorgeous women in their travels. If you enjoyed the first two Rush Hour movies, this one, while a little less action-packed, probably won't disappoint. Rated PG-13 for action violence, medium sexual content, nudity, and language. – Ashley Merrill
Stardust (PG-13) is a fairy tale-esque fantasy film that succeeds in its quest to entertain. The theme is familiar: a boy named Tristan (Charlie Cox) seeks to win the heart of a beauty named Victoria (Sienna Miller) who hardly knows he exists. He promises to bring her a fallen star in exchange for her hand in marriage, and they have a deal. What Tristan does not realize is that the journey to find the star begins in another universe.
He is not the only one who seeks the star, called Yvaine (Claire Danes). The heart of a star has the power to grant its possessor immortality, and so Yvaine is much sought by three witches, led by Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer). She also holds the only way for three brothers (one played by Rupert Everett) to succeed their father (Peter O'Toole) to the throne. Robert De Niro turns in an unexpected and delightful performance as Captain Shakespeare, who pilots his ship among the clouds collecting lightning, and Ricky Gervais (creator of the original British version of The Office) also plays a cameo role.
I found Stardust to be a very fun movie with humor, suspense, an imaginative and pleasing storyline, and a satisfying ending. The advertising doesn’t do the film justice. I think it is much worth seeing. Rated PG-13 for some fantasy violence and innuendo. I wouldn’t take very young kids to see Stardust, as some of the scenes might be too scary. – Kelly Merrill
The Bourne Ultimatum (PG-13)
Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) continues his quest to find out who he was, who was responsible for creating him, and who now wants him dead in this third entry in the Bourne series, picking up where Bourne Supremacy ended without missing a beat.
After Bourne reads reporter Simon Ross’s (Paddy Considine) investigative stories in the London newspaper, it’s obvious that the unnamed source is someone Jason needs to find. But Ross also gets the attention of Noah Vosen (David Strathairn), head of the covert wing of the CIA, and CIA director Ezra Kramer (Scott Glenn) when he uses the word “Black Briar” over his cell phone. Ross becomes the target of CIA surveillance and, you guessed it, Bourne gets back on their radar.
There is so much action with Bourne trying to outmaneuver the cops, federal officers and CIA “assets” with orders to kill that you can’t take it all in, and a world tour including Tangier, Morocco, Paris, Madrid, Berlin, New York City, and London is mostly wasted in all the action.
Bourne uses his bottomless funds and endless passports to hop from country to country, all without benefit of disguise. Disturbing flashes of memory haunt him, but he’s had no real breakthroughs. His former contact Nicolette "Nicki" Parsons (Julia Stiles) and CIA operative Pamela Landy (Joan Allen) are back and pretty much in character. Bourne eventually comes face to face with mysterious Dr. Albert Hirsch (Albert Finney).
The shaky handcams used by British filmmaker Paul Greengrass were annoying to me, not enough to deter me from seeing it again, but overdone nonetheless. The car chases were amazing, as were the foot chases, and many bodies fall - not necessarily dead, but seriously hurting - to Bourne when they come after him.
He taunts the head of covert operations and the movie crowd all but went wild.
If you didn’t see 2002's The Bourne Identity and 2004's The Bourne Supremacy, the movie will not be as exciting for you, but the action will keep you involved. I’d rent them and then see Ultimatum. Either way, you won’t be disappointed. – Marilyn Merrill
Hot Rod (PG-13) is a comedy you won't want to miss, that the whole family will enjoy. It doesn't have anything to do with racing cars, but centers around Rod Kimble (Saturday Night Live regular Andy Samberg) a wannabe stuntman. Rod has grown up believing his real father was Evel Knieval's test-rider, so Rod believes himself to be a natural stuntman, and is committed to fulfilling his "father's" legacy. Rod lives at home with his mother (Sissy Spacek), stepfather Frank (Ian McShane), and stepbrother Kevin Rod's friends are always encouraging him on his stunts, including jumping a swimming pool, but the real challenge comes when Frank gets sick and needs money for a heart operation. Even though Rod pretends to hate his stepfather, he is determined to raise the money by attempting his biggest stunt yet: jumping 15 school buses. You won't want to miss Rod's performance. Fellow SNL alum Bill Heder, Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers), and Will Arnett ("Arrested Development") also star. - Mary Wadsworth
The Simpsons Movie (PG-13)
This is the greatest movie ever, right behind Transformers. The major conflict in the movie involves pollution, toxic waste, the EPA, Homer, and a pig. Lisa is campaigning for a cleaner Springfield when she meets a fellow environmentalist and new rival for Millhouse; meanwhile, Bart gets handcuffed, naked, to a flagpole. The government is run by Arnold Schwarzenegger, and pollution is so bad in Springfield that he and the EPA, led by Cargill, decide to put a dome over the whole town.
Marge does the unthinkable, and Homer tries to move the family to Alaska after one of his major screwups. When the Simpsons find out that Springfield's future is in jeopardy, they return, and Homer and Bart, acting the way they always do, end up saving the day. Tom Hanks also has a cameo, as himself.
Like I said, only Transformers was a better movie, but this one deserves all the Oscars. - Matt Wright
Who's Your Caddy (PG-13)
The movie is loosely based on the 1980 movie Caddyshack, is a comedy for adults. C-Note (Big Boi), a rapper from Atlanta, is trying to become a member at a conservative country club in the Carolinas. In the process, C-Note runs into several obstacles, including the president of the country club, who does not want C-Note to become a member. Watching C-Note overcome these obstacles gives the movie its comedy title. The movie also stars Faizon Love as Big Large, Cam Gigandet as Mick, Jeffrey Jones as Cummings, and Sherry Shepherd as Lady G. Rating is for racist and foul language, and inappropriate body language. - Malissa Graham
No Reservations (PG)
The movie stars Catherine Zeta-Jones as Kate Armstrong, an entitled, perfectionist workaholic head chef for a Greenwich Village restaurant in Manhattan. Her boss and the restaurant's owner, Paula (Patricia Clackson) is paying for Kate's therapy, to help her get a handle on her life and stop her from making further outbursts at customers who aren't satisfied with her dishes. Kate's life is thrown out of kilter when her sister is killed on the way to visit her, leaving Kate her orphaned nine-year-old, Zoe (Abigail Breslin). Kate takes time off work to mourn her sister's death and get to know Zoe, but Zoe doesn't like the kind of food Kate makes as a head chef, and Kate is even further insulted to find that a new temporary head chef, Nick (Aaron Eckhart), was hired in her absence. Nick's style directly contrasts with Kate, as he is full of life and likes to have a good time, so they clash, but Nick is the only one who can figure out how to feed the picky Zoe, and eventually begins to win Kate over.
Even though this is a predictable romantic comedy, Catherine gives a great performance as Kate. Guys with a date or mothers with teenage girls should find this a great choice. I'd suggest not to eat before watching, because everyone will be hungry after. - Kevin Boyette